Wacousta : a tale of the Pontiac conspiracy (Complete) eBook

a duty in which blood was expected to be shed?
He could not suppose that any consideration would
induce me to resign my duty to another officer, when
apprised of this fact.’ All this was said
with the air of one really interested in my honour;
but in my increasing impatience, I told him I wanted
none of his cant; I simply asked him a favour, which
he would grant or decline as he thought proper.
This was a harshness of language I had never indulged
in; but my mind was sore under the existing causes
of my annoyance, and I could not bear to have my motives
reflected on at a moment when my heart was torn with
all the agonies attendant on the position in which
I found myself placed. His cheek paled and flushed
more than once, before he replied, ’that in
spite of my unkindness his friendship might induce
him to do much for me, even as he had hitherto done,
but that on the present occasion it rested not with
him. In order to justify himself he would no
longer disguise the fact from me, that the colonel
had declared, in the presence of the whole regiment,
I should take my duty regularly in future, and not
be suffered to make a convenience of the service any
longer. If, however, he could do any thing for
me during my absence, I had but to command him.

“While I was yet giving vent, in no very measured
terms, to the indignation I felt at being made the
subject of public censure by the colonel, the same
sergeant came into the room, announcing that the company
were only waiting for me to march, and that the colonel
desired my instant presence. In the agitation
of my feelings, I scarcely knew what I did, putting
several portions of my regimental equipment on so
completely awry, that your father noticed and rectified
the errors I had committed; while again, in the presence
of the sergeant, I expressed the deepest regret he
could not relieve me from a duty that was hateful
to the last degree.

“Torn with agony at the thought of the uncertainty
in which I was compelled to leave her, whom I so fondly
adored, I had now no. other alternative than to make
a partial confidant of your father. I told him
that in the cottage which I pointed out he would find
the original of the portrait he had seen me painting
on a former occasion,—­the Cornish cousin,
whose beauty he professed to hold so cheaply.
More he should know of her on my return; but at present
I confided her to his honour, and begged he would
prove his friendship for me by rendering her whatever
attention she might require in her humble abode.
With these hurried injunctions he promised to comply;
and it has often occurred to me since, although I
did not remark it at the time, that while his voice
and manner were calm, there was a burning glow upon
his handsome cheek, and a suppressed exultation in
his eye, that I had never observed on either before.
I then quitted the room; and hastening to my company
with a gloom on—­my brow that indicated
the wretchedness of my inward spirit, was soon afterwards
on the march from ——.”